“Thud.”

The man, who had been struck so hard that a dull thumping sound could be heard, grimaced in pain and stepped back, letting out an involuntary groan.

Just now… Did the shadow hit the man?

Irene blinked her eyes slowly, unable to believe what she had seen. Even though it seemed certain that the shadow had hit the man, it was an impossible event for a shadow to hit a person. She couldn’t help but doubt her own eyes.

If it wasn’t the shadow, then what was that object that hit him?

“If you came, you’d come directly to me. What are you doing here?”

Irene, who was puzzled, turned her head as she heard a familiar voice from behind.

The man who had been stooping like a goblin, now with a determined expression, also glared at the owner of the voice.

“Is that how you greet someone?”

Carlos chuckled.

“Who’s the person?”

“Just saying! Ugh…”

Due to the man’s grunt of frustration, the area where he was hit hurt more, and he groaned while clutching his side.

Carlos stepped forward, coming next to Irene, and asked.

“Where did it hit?”

“Nowhere.”

“I got hit!”

Although the man shouted in frustration, Carlos paid him no attention.

“Let’s just go in for today.”

“But I promised to take care of Yomi…”

Irene, still looking at Yomi hiding behind her, spoke.

Since Carlos appeared, Yomi had been sitting with its head bowed, pressing it against the ground.

“Yomi, what’s wrong?”

Even though it was fine a moment ago, it didn’t seem to be in pain anywhere… Is it afraid of Carlos?

“Duce.”

When Carlos called, Duce suddenly appeared from somewhere.

“Take Yomi to the pen.”

“Yes.”

Only then did Yomi, who reluctantly raised its head, look at Irene with pitiful eyes, as if it didn’t want to go.

Even though Irene found that gaze very pitiful…

With the strange man appearing and the situation getting weirder, Irene couldn’t insist on keeping Yomi by her side.

In the end, Yomi returned to the pen with Duce.

Carlos naturally placed his hand on Irene’s shoulder.

“Let’s go.”

As Irene was about to enter the castle with Carlos, the man suddenly rushed towards Carlos.

Thud, the sound of the man’s fist colliding with Carlos’s palm resounded loudly.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

In response to the fierce question, the man smiled, rolling up the corners of his lips.

“Still vigorous, huh?”

“What are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I just wanted to greet you since it’s been a while.”

With a sentence that felt like a period, the man once again attacked Carlos.

The two men fought fiercely, as if they were gladiators thrown into an arena to kill each other.

Oh, what should I do?

Irene fretted, not knowing what to do, pacing back and forth.

It seemed like something needed to be stopped before a bigger disaster unfolded, but the fight was so intense that she couldn’t bring herself to intervene.

She was scared that if she intervened, she might get dragged into the fight as well.
However, I can’t just stand here and watch quietly like this.

Irene had the thought that she had to do something, but someone grabbed her arm from behind as she tried to step forward.

“Please don’t go forward; it’s dangerous, miss.”

It was Jessie. Duce was behind her.

Perhaps the two of them could restrain Carlos and the mysterious man.

Irene, in turn, grabbed Jessie’s arm and urgently shouted.

“The Grand Duke is fighting with a strange man!”

“I know.”

In such a critical situation where her owner might get hurt, why was she so composed?

Duce also looked at Carlos and the mysterious man with an indifferent face, like someone casually watching a fire across the river.

“I thought so, but you’re fighting again.”

Jessie shrugged.

“They say that if a person or an animal suddenly changes, it’s their time to die. I actually prefer that my master remains the same.”

“Is that so? Still, it would be better for both of you to refrain from fighting as if you’re going to kill each other every time you meet.”

“Well, who cares? I’m not really trying to kill him. I actually think it’s nice that you two seem to be really close.”

“Finding this nice… Your taste is quite unique.”

Were the two of them not worried about Carlos? At this rate, something serious might happen.

Irene was perplexed by Jessie and Duce’s attitudes that were beyond her comprehension.

Meanwhile, the dull thudding sound continued.

Thud, every time the sound rang out, Irene looked at Carlos with trembling eyes.

Then, Duce stepped forward, blocking Irene’s view.

“For a lady with a tender heart, it might be a somewhat violent scene. I recommend not watching.”

Jessie patted Irene’s hunched shoulders.

“It will be over soon, so don’t worry.”

As if to prove Jessie’s words, the sound of impacts disappeared.

“Pant, pant. I’m dying.”

Instead, the rough breathing of the man, who seemed like he might collapse at any moment, echoed.

“…”

Just by listening to the sound, it seemed like the situation had concluded, but Irene couldn’t confirm it since Duce was blocking her view.

Unable to bear it, Irene asked Duce.

“Is it over?”

Briefly turning around, Duce nodded.